Spank Vibrocore Bars & Wrist Injuries

I have some Vibrocores with Ergon grips, and the best thing I can say about them is that I don't notice any hand/wrist discomfort even after a long day.

Probably the best thing I did though was to rotate the brake levers up a lot closer to horizontal and played around with bar height to make sure I wasn't over-weighting my hands.

I’ve used 31.8mm Vibrocore, and 35mm OneUp… I’d say the OneUp are better, and you could try those without buying a stem. I have had a broken Ulna for years, and ride with a wrist wrap, so I’m pretty sensitive to these things. As ever, a bigger tyre helps more.

I've got vibrocores on a short travel 26" 4x bike that I use for a bit of everything; I've ridden Cadair Idris, Snowdon, Dyfi Bike Park and all sorts of other rocky gubbins on it and never experienced arm pump.

When I started getting symptoms of HAVs from using Wacker plates when trailbuilding, I suggested injecting the wacker handles with expanding foam... somehow though, that never came to pass.

On balance, I'd say vibrocore is certainly beneficial

For me lots of sweep (Mary Bars) was crucial to getting through wrist issues.

Have a vibrocore bar in front of me that arrived today, so be interested to see how it goes. It does sound like bolloxology tbh, given a mtb front suspension and large tyre - but enough experienced riders have recommended them that it's surely worth trying (I recently picked up a second hand anthem with a flat bar that's causing me hand issues).

I'd say a bike fit would have way more impact, though, if you're dealing with a serious wrist issue. Experimenting yourself with different set-ups should be first port of call, before shelling out to a fitter (ask for recommendations, many charlatans in that field).

What wrist support(s) do you have? It's worth spending good money on an Allsport Dynamics or Mobius. No they're not cheap but they work.

I should say that it'll all be fitted to a Cotic RocketMax, so 160mm travel front and rear plus 2.5" tyres. Using odi longkneck v2 grips which I won't be changing. These helped with comfort and grip before being hurt.

I've also not ridden since last tweeking it months ago so this is more of a preventative investment.

Not keen on composite parts normally but will look into them.

I've got a burgtec 38mm rise bar on with DMR stem so my investment includes re-sale on these, money saving is important at the moment.

oneup bar is pretty good. no complaints from buzzing at all. Decent tyre, suspension and bar setup helps. I've spent a bit of time getting bar roll, break lever angle/lever pull, suspension set up.

I wear a troy Lee wrist guard too which helps a bit with my crappy wrist.

I damaged my wrist some years back and still have some pain and have only just stopped using a wrist support.
I swapped to vibrocores and found they made some difference, so think they are work a try.
I also now use 2.6 front tyres, increased bar rise to 35-50mm depending on bike and tweaked fork setup to reduce chatter.
I have also tried rev grips with larger/softer/tackier grips which also helped (although I suspect mostly due to the grips not the flex) but would not recommend them due to cost.
I also stopped waring gloves for most rides.
If you are in the Southampton area I have some spare vibrocore bars and a variety of stems if you want to try them.

As mentioned above. Try something with more sweep. SQLabs do the 30x bar with 12 or 16 degrees of backsweep.

I've got a set of the alu 12 on order since trying a 9 degree deity bar which is much nicer than my renthals. Thought I'd give a 12 a go.

Already got a vibrocore bar but Revgrips made the biggest noticeable difference to my aching wrists.

Wrist supports. Currently have a space brace wrist wrap thing and a snowboard brand wrist support which I found recommended on here several times.

Confused58, thanks but I'm opposite side of the country up north.

As far as brake setup, I like to have them angled more down so that I'm not holding my wrist at dodgy angles, that's something that hurts as is.

Revgrips are intriguing but painfully expensive on top of new bar/stem or oneup bars.

I’m also using RevGrips. Unsure about the benefits of them so far.

In order (most noticeable difference first) I’d go:

- Wrist Brace (661 here)
- Bigger front tyre (2.6)
- Running fork softer (with damping tweeks)
- OneUp or Vibrocore bars
- RevGrips

Having tiny floppy wrists and two broken fingers (screws) means with triple butted Ti bars and Rev grips is a revelation together.

Helps a great deal though will never be 100%.

So all in consider the £270 upgrades or there abouts.
🤠👍

Deffo rotate slightly upwards your brake levers.

And run as low as poss LSC on your forks and a flexier tread tyre like a Magic Mary if that suits your bike, style and riding terrain.

I've fairly weak/sensitive wrists - I ran some 31.8mm Vibrocore bars as you could get them in 50mm rise (I'm 6'6"), felt 'harsher' than my usual 38mm rise 31.8mm un-cut Renthals. Sold the Spank and have run the Renthals since. Always run with Odi Longnecks.

I bought a viborocore bar as it was the cheapest 800mm/31.8/ 50mm rise bar I could find.

It is nice enough that all three of my MTB have viborocore bars.

Is it the "magic" foam? I think it's more likely to be the shape/sweep fits my hands.

It was definely better on my hands and wrists than the renthal alloy and race Face carbon I had previously

Cheers for feedback all, read into some of the recommendations too. Oneup bars seem decent but I'm not keen on having composite bars, not because I don't trust them but because I don't trust myself to damage them. Plus I'd need to buy paste and a torque wrench to be properly sure things are installed correctly.

Gone for a Spank Spike 50mm rise Vibrocore and nukeproof neutron stem at a smidge over £100 all in from wiggle.
Like a high front end hence 50mm rise. Plus I've got plenty of steerer length to play around with settings.

First ride since late February planned next weekend.

Stealth ad for 35x35 DMR stem and 35mm burgtec bars with 38mm rise!

First ride in 6 months done with zero pain, great success.
KT tape, space brace wrist support and flexmeter wrist support on top. Plus smaller diameter Vibrocore Bars.

Well chuffed to finally be out riding the bike again.

So chuffed we're gonna go steel city DH on Monday!

Sounds positive. 🤲🏼

Is it the “magic” foam?

I thought its because by using the foam they have a created a honeycomb structure so can make the aluminium a tiny bit thinner whilst retaining the strength and that allows slightly more flex

Good news and enjoy!
🤘